76 Overdoses Reported in New Haven in 24 Hours

Emergency crews in New Haven have responded to at least 76 overdoses on what’s suspected to be a batch of K2 in a roughly 24-hour period.

(Published Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018)

What to Know

New Haven first responders have been called to at least 76 overdoses on K2 in 24 hours.

Some victims were in life-threatening condition, but there have been no reported fatalities.

Police have arrested three people, but so far have not confirmed if any of them were responsible for distributing the drugs.

Emergency crews in New Haven responded to at least 76 overdoses on the synthetic drug K2 between Tuesday night and Wednesday and another five incidents early Thursday morning that appeared to be similar.

Emergency crews responded to the New Haven Green, a park near Yale University, Tuesday night for three suspected ODs.

More cases came to light Wednesday morning when around 18 people collapsed on the New Haven Green in a span of three-and-a-half hours, authorities said.

As of 10 p.m. Wednesday, first responders had been called to close to 76 suspected overdoses, the majority of which occurred on or around the Green. Of those, 72 people were transported to the hospital, and four patients refused to be taken, officials said.

Some of the patients were in life-threatening condition, but officials said there have been no fatalities.

City officials said initial test results from the DEA found the substance to be pure K2, a synthetic drug promoted as similar to marijuana, but there are still more samples to be tested. There were no additives in the first tested samples, city officials said.

Police said they have arrested a local man on a violation of probation warrant who is believed connected to at least some of the overdoses. The investigation is ongoing and the man, who had drugs on him at the time of his arrest, has yet to be charged in any of the overdose cases.

Police made two other arrests Wednesday, but so far have not confirmed if those people are connected to distributing the drugs.

New Haven Fire Chief John Alston Jr. said during a news conference that the opiate problem extends far beyond New Haven.

"People are self-medicating for several different reasons and every agency — police, fire, medical, hospitals — all are strained at this time. This is a problem that's not going away," Alston said.

Mayor Toni Harp released a statement praising first responders for their work as the investigation continues.

“I’m extremely grateful for the timely and effective work of first responders who helped revive, transport, and save these victims," the statement read.

Gov. Dannel Malloy called the massive number of overdoses in New Haven “deeply troubling.”

“Today’s emergency is deeply troubling and illustrative of the very real and serious threat that illicit street drugs pose to health of individuals. The substance behind these overdoses is highly dangerous and must be avoided,” he said in a statement.

“I have spoken with Mayor Harp and assured her that the state remains committed and ready to assist their response efforts wherever needed,” Malloy said in a statement.

Officials from the state Department of Public Health and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services are providing assistance, including delivering 50 doses of naloxone to the City of New Haven to replenish the supply first responders used over 24 hours.

The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services is also working with health professionals to assist the emergency responders. Malloy said psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, medical and homeless outreach staff also assisted in triage, administering naloxone, and sending people to the hospital.

Hamden has issued a public health advisory because of the overdoses in New Haven County, and the mayor’s office is warning that using any street drugs can and might result in death or serious medical complications.

The city also shared signs of an overdose, citing the Quinnipiack Valley Health District, for the information.